Transparent template for facilitating embroidery alignment using a support frame of a sewing machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method are provided including a sheet formed of a transparent material. The sheet defines a template capable of having a pattern printed thereon. During use, the template is adapted for being removed from the sheet. Also included is at least a pair of alignment designators that are positioned on the template of the sheet for marking the material. The markings facilitate alignment of the material in a support frame that is adapted for use when embroidering the pattern on the material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to embroidering, and moreparticularly to embroidery templates adapted to facilitate embroideringvarious articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embroidery is a commonly used technique for providing an infinitevariety of singly or multiply colored stitched pattern and pictorialenhancements to wearing apparel and other articles constructed oftextiles and other lightweight materials. Embroidery involves thestitching of thread into a selected cloth substrate such as a coat,sweatshirt, sheet material, or the like. By appropriately choosingvarious threads having different colors and by carefully interminglingsuch stitched threads, patterns can be created which are extremelyattractive, expensive in appearance and suitable for fashionabledesigner apparel.

[0003] With the development of readily available and sophisticatedcomputing hardware and software for controlling embroidery equipment andmachinery, the manufacture and production of such enhanced products hasbeen automated whereby such articles are now produced at costssubstantially reduced from those of articles previously produced withoutthe benefit of such automation. One example of such system includes asewing machine coupled to a computer. In operation, the computer isadapted to allow a user to select a pattern, and control the sewingmachine for embroidering the pattern on an article. Support frames arecommonly used to fix the article in place with respect to the sewingmachine during embroidering.

[0004] In order to prepare an article for embroidery, the support framemay take the form of a pair of hoops which secure the article beneaththe sewing heads of the sewing machine. Tubular hoops are traditionallycomprised of a larger and a smaller close-loop section. The larger hoopis called the female hoop portion and is sized so as to frictionallyreceive in its inner diameter the smaller hoop, which is called the maleportion. The hoops are used to secure and to stretch a portion of anarticle that is to be embroidered.

[0005] As is known, the portion of the article to be embroidered isplaced between the male and female hoop portions. Once the portion ofthe article to be embroidered is properly framed by the hoop portions,the male hoop portion is seated within the female hoop portion, therebycatching a portion of the article between the inner diameter of thefemale hoop portion and the outer diameter of the male hoop portion. Thearticle is retained between the hoop portions by the friction fit of thehoop portions, the magnitude of the friction force being enhanced by theadded thickness of the article caught therebetween.

[0006] It is the practice of established embroidering methods to providean attachment mechanism upon one of the hoop portions, generally thefemale hoop portion, so as to permit the hoop portions and the articlesecured therebetween, to be secured to the sewing machine for theembroidery operation.

[0007] However, a major problem exists in the use of such tubular hoops.Because the methods and devices heretofore used for positioning anarticle between the male and female hoop portions have been neitheraccurate nor precise, the number of flawed articles turned out byembroidery processes has been high. Quite often an article is improperlysecured between the male and female hoop portions, resulting in theembroidery being in the wrong position or in being misaligned or skewed.As embroidery is for all intents and purposes permanent, each flawedarticle represents a loss to the embroiderer.

[0008] Another problem that exists in the process of using tubular hoopsin the embroidery process is the amount of time necessary to properlysecure an article between the male and female hoop portions. It isdifficult and very time consuming to measure by hand the properpositioning and alignment for a hoop on an article. Moreover, whenmeasuring by hand it is very easy to make a mistake. Placing the articlebetween the hoops by sight is much faster, but results in far moremistakes and incurred cost. The problem with many of the devices of theprior art is that they incorporate far too many steps that are carriedout by hand measurement or by sight alone. Not only does using thehooping devices of the prior art require too much time, but there isalso a higher risk of error.

[0009] As set forth earlier, one common challenge associated withembroidering includes aligning a pattern on an article. If not doneproperly, the subject article may be rendered defective and undesired.Prior art FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary article including a shirt 100having a pocket 102 thereon. During use, a support frame may be attachedto the pocket 102. The support frame is in turn attached to a sewingmachine which is capable of embroidering a pattern so that it iscentered with respect to the support frame.

[0010] Prior art FIG. 2 illustrates a support frame 200 removablyattached to the pocket 102 of the shirt 100 shown in FIG. 1. As isreadily apparent, it is extremely important to center the support frame200 on the pocket 102 to ensure that the pattern is later centeredproperly with respect to the pocket 102. This is often very difficult toaccomplish since the support frame must be positioned on the pocketwithout knowing how the pattern will appear thereon. As a result, anyslight rotation of the support frame 200 or deviation of the center ofthe support frame 200 with respect to the center of the pocket 102 willresult in the pattern being misaligned.

[0011] Prior art FIG. 3 illustrates the pocket 102 with a pattern 300embroidered after misalignment of the support frame 200. As shown, anyslight change in the angle of rotation or center deviation results inmisalignment. There is thus a need for an apparatus and method thatfacilitates the alignment of patterns on various articles, and furtherfacilitates the overall embroidery process.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An apparatus and method are provided including a sheet formed ofa transparent material. The sheet defines a template capable of having apattern printed thereon. During use, the template is adapted for beingremoved from the sheet. Also included is at least a pair of alignmentdesignators that are positioned on the template of the sheet for markingthe material. The markings facilitate alignment of the material in asupport frame that is adapted for use when embroidering the pattern onthe material.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheet may have asubstantially rectangular configuration and be substantially flexiblefor facilitating the printing of the pattern on the template of thesheet using a printer. To facilitate the removal of the template fromthe sheet, a periphery of the template may be perforated. Further, thealignment designators may include cut outs formed in the template of thesheet.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, a label may beadhered to the sheet for allowing a printer to print informationrelating to the pattern thereon. Such label may be removably positionedon the sheet for re-positioning on the template. This ensures that theinformation is conveniently accessible during subsequent uses of thetemplate. Yet another option includes equipping a periphery of thetemplate of the sheet with a size and a shape similar to that of thesupport frame in order to further facilitate embroidery alignment.

[0015] The method associated with use of the present invention includesprinting a pattern on the template formed from the sheet of transparentmaterial. The template may then be removed from the sheet and positionedon a piece of material. Thereafter, the material is marked using atleast a pair of alignment designators that are positioned on thetemplate. Such markings on the material are then aligned with a supportframe for attachment purposes when embroidering the pattern on thematerial.

[0016] These and other advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and studyingthe various figures of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The foregoing and other aspects and advantages are betterunderstood from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0018] Prior art FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary article including ashirt having a pocket thereon;

[0019] Prior art FIG. 2 illustrates a support frame removably attachedto the pocket of the shirt shown in FIG. 1;

[0020] Prior art FIG. 3 illustrates a pocket with the patternembroidered after misalignment of the support frame;

[0021]FIG. 4 illustrates a system including a sewing machine, computer,and printer which are adapted for use with the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a top view of a template apparatus that is capable ofbeing used with the system of FIG. 4;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method for facilitatingembroidery alignment in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 7 illustrates the manner in which the label is adhered to thetemplate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 8 illustrates the alignment of the template on an article,and the marking of the article in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 9 illustrates the alignment of the support frame with themarkings on the article; and

[0027]FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including a pattern taking the form of a geometricarrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the prior art. FIG. 4 illustrates a system400 including a sewing machine 401, computer 404, and printer 402 whichare adapted for use with the present invention. As shown, the sewingmachine 401 is detachably connected to the computer 404 which is in turndetachably connected to the printer 402. Also attached to the sewingmachine 401 is a removable support frame 406 with a substantially squareconfiguration. In one embodiment, the support frame 406 may include aninner section which is removably coupleable to an outer section forallowing material to be supported therebetween. Such material may takeon any form including, but not limited to cloth, plastic, or any othermaterial capable of being processed by the sewing machine 401.

[0029] In operation, a user may create, edit and view various patternson a display of the computer 402. Upon selection of a desired pattern,the computer 402 may be used to print the pattern utilizing the printer402 for the purpose of generating a template. In various alternateembodiments, the computer 404 and the various functions associatedtherewith may be incorporated into the sewing machine 401 and/or theprinter 402.

[0030] One embodiment of the present invention involves a new templateapparatus and method for use with system 400 shown in FIG. 4. In use,the template of the present invention solves the problems set forthearlier relating to embroidery misalignment, in addition to providingother features that facilitate the overall use of the system 400.

[0031]FIG. 5 is a top view of an apparatus 500 that is capable of beingused with the system 400 of FIG. 4. As shown, a thin sheet 502 isprovided with a substantially rectangular configuration. Such sheet 502has a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery formed therebetween. Theperiphery is defined by a pair of elongated side edges and a pair ofshort end edges. In one embodiment, the sheet 502 is formed of atransparent, flexible material. As will soon become apparent, the sheet502 is specifically tailored for being positioned into the printer 402for having a pattern printed thereon. For example, the sheet 502 mayoptionally have a width dimension substantially equal to 8 and ½ inches.While not necessary, the length dimension may optionally besubstantially equal to 11 inches.

[0032] Also included is a closed-loop perforation 504 formed in thesheet 502 within the periphery thereof. Such perforation 504 defines atemplate 506 that is removable from the sheet. In an alternateembodiment, the sheet 502 may include just indicia to define thetemplate 506, thus allowing a user to user to utilize a tool such as ascissors or knife to separate the template 506 from the sheet 502. Inyet another embodiment, the sheet 502 may be pre-sized and shaped todefine the template 506 in order to avoid any of the above separationtechniques.

[0033] In one embodiment, the template 506 may be equipped with aperipheral edge defined by four side edges of a size and a shapecorresponding to that of the support frame 406 shown in FIG. 4. Itshould be understood that the template 506 may take on any shape orsize. For example, the templates may be sized to match various standardsizes of support frames 406. In use, the template 506 is adapted forreceiving a pattern 508 thereon. The pattern may take the form of ageometric arrangement, decoration (logo, identifier, etc.), or any otherindicia.

[0034] With continuing reference to FIG. 5, four circular cut outs 510are formed in the sheet 502 within the bounds of the peripheral edge ofthe template 506. Each cut out 510 is formed adjacent to a centralextent of a corresponding one of the side edges of the template 506. Forreasons that will soon become apparent, the cut outs 510 are adapted forallowing a user to mark an underlying piece of material with a chalkmaterial or the like. This allows the pattern 508 to be aligned on thematerial prior to the material being attached to the support frame 406.

[0035] In various alternate embodiments, the cut outs 510 may take onany number, shape, or form. In the alternative, notches may be formed inthe peripheral edge of the template 506 for serving a similar function.It should be understood that any type of alignment designators may beused which is capable of allowing the material to be marked foralignment purposes. For example, the alignment designators may includepre-printed indicia, or indicia printed by the printer 402. In order forthe alignment designators to be properly positioned with respect to thepattern, special attention may be given so that the periphery of thesheet 502 is a standard size and shape such that the printer 402consistently prints the pattern in a central location between thealignment designators.

[0036] Adhered to the top face of the sheet 502 is a removable opaquelabel 512 that is positioned adjacent to one of the end edges. As shownin FIG. 5, the label 512 extends adjacent to and in parallel with one ofthe side edges of the periphery of the sheet 502. During operation, thelabel 512 is adapted for being removed from the sheet 502, andre-adhered to the template 506 within the peripheral edge thereof.

[0037] The label 512 functions to convey various information such as thefile name under which the pattern 508 is stored on the computer 404, thedate in which the pattern 508 was last saved in the computer 404, thecolor scheme associated with the pattern 508, and/or any other type ofinformation relating to the pattern 508. As is known in the art, thecolor scheme allows a user to decipher what color the various portionsof the pattern 508 are to be embroidered.

[0038]FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method 600 for facilitatingembroidery alignment in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, the sheet 502 of transparent material is providedin operation 602. As set forth earlier, the sheet 502 has a template 506formed thereon. Next, in operation 604, the sheet 502 is positioned inthe printer 402, and the pattern 508 is printed on the template 506 ofthe sheet 502 using a computer program. During such printing step,various information is also printed on the label 512 of the sheet.Resulting is the sheet 502 shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] Next, the template 506 and label 512 are removed from the sheet502 in operation 606. The label 512 is then adhered to the template 506in a manner shown in FIG. 7. This allows convenient access to theinformation during subsequent use of the template 506. Thereafter, thetemplate 506 is positioned on a piece of material in operation 608, andthe pattern 508 is aligned on the material in a desired manner, asindicated in operation 610. It should be noted that the transparency ofthe template 506 facilitates this process by permitting the user to seethe precise location of the pattern on the material. FIG. 8 illustratesthe alignment of the template 506 on the material.

[0040] As set forth earlier, at least a pair of cut outs 510 arepositioned on the template 506. In operation 612, such cut outs 510 areused for marking the material. FIG. 8 illustrates the marking of thearticle through the cut outs 510.

[0041] With the material marked, the material is then ready to beattached to the support frame 406. During such attachment, the markingson the material are used to ensure that the material is positioned inthe support frame 406 such that the pattern is embroidered thereon inproper alignment. Note operation 614. FIG. 9 illustrates the alignmentof the support frame 406 with the markings on the article. As shown, anapex of the support frame 406 may be aligned with an uppermost marking,and the remaining markings may be aligned accordingly.

[0042] While not necessary, the support frame 406 may include alignmentindicators at ninety (90) degree increments to facilitate alignment withthe markings on the material. It should be noted that the operations setforth in FIG. 6 may be repeated with multiple templates on a singlearticle as desired so that multiple patterns can be properly alignedrelative to each other.

[0043]FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention including a pattern taking the form of a geometric arrangement1000 in lieu of decorative indicia. In one embodiment, the geometricarrangement 1000 may include cross-hairs, or any other type of patternthan allows a user to mark the article such that the pattern is centeredwhere the arrangement 1000 is positioned during alignment.

[0044] As mentioned earlier, the templates 506 may be sized to matchvarious standard sizes of support frames 406. In an alternate method,the embodiment of FIG. 10 may also be used for allowing larger hoops tobe used with templates 506 having alignment designators tailored forsmaller support frames 406. It is readily apparent that alignmentdesignators spaced to fit within a smaller support frame 406 wouldposition the markings in a manner that would frustrate the alignmentprocess using a larger support frame 406. If the template 506 of FIG. 10is equipped for use with a larger support frame 406, the arrangement1000 of the larger template 506 may be aligned with the markingspreviously made using a smaller template 506 for generating additionalmarkings. Thereafter, the additional markings on the material may beused to accurately align with the larger support frame 406. In thealternative, the larger template 506 may be physically positioned withinthe support frame 406 for alignment with the markings resulting from thesmaller template 506.

[0045] While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a sheet adapted forhaving a pattern printed thereon, the sheet capable of being positionedon material for viewing the pattern with respect to the material; and atleast one alignment designator capable of aligning the material in asupport frame.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the sheethas a substantially rectangular configuration for facilitating theprinting of the pattern on the sheet using a printer.
 3. The apparatusas recited in claim 1, wherein the sheet is flexible for facilitatingthe printing of the pattern on the sheet using a printer.
 4. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one alignmentdesignator includes a cut out formed in the sheet.
 5. The apparatus asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a label adhered to the sheet forallowing a printer to print information relating to the pattern thereon.6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the label is removablypositioned on the sheet.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, whereinthe sheet is transparent and the label is opaque.
 8. A method forfacilitating embroidery alignment, comprising: positioning a patternedsheet with respect to a piece of material; and aligning the materialwith a support frame for embroidering the pattern on the material. 9.The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the sheet has a substantiallyrectangular configuration for facilitating the printing of a pattern onthe sheet using a printer.
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, furthercomprising printing information relating to the pattern on the sheet.11. A sheet having a pattern printed thereon for aligning material in asupport frame for embroidering the pattern on the material in an alignedfashion.